MR. Edward Earl Nicholson

'll never forget it. It was a cold and snowy Thursday in January of 1954, the 14th, to be exact. It was the dawn of a new year with a blessing of a new life, bursting into the world. I was that NEW LIFE! It was ME; wide-eyed, scream and squirming. The doctor so every gently, placed me into the anticipating arms of my parents, Virginia Pam Nicholson and Eddie Lee Nicholson. I instantly was swaddled in a blanket of love. My arrival was a blessing that my parents cherished with their entire heart, body, spirit and soul. I was blessed and privileged; held and loved, cared and carried by their unending love and God's unlimited grace.
Growing up in my childhood stage, I didn't have any biological siblings, but; God sent me two little friends, Lou Jethro and Michael Anderson, who instantly became by "BLOOD BROTHERS." We pretty much did everything together. With me being the oldest, I set the rules. Hey, the "kid" like things "his" way. To see one of us was to see all three of us. Our bond has been unbreakable for 70 years. My parents, along with a huge village of supporters, raised me in a firm and loving foundation. I watched and absorbed valuable morals: GOD, respect, dignity, decency, hard work and compassion, to highlight a few. Church was my cornerstone; my mother was the president of the Mother's Board, and my father was the Chairman of the Deacon board for over 40 years. I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at a young age, by the late Reverend James Wings, pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. At that time St. Mark M.B. Church was located "Goose Hill." I was involved in the youth choir, Sunday School, BYU and many more ministries created to glorify GOD.
My education was paramount. My parents made sure that I never lost sight of how important education is. I was encouraged to strive to be my best. I accepted the charge and did pretty good. If I say so myself. I attended Lafayette and Lalumier Elementary School, and this is where my academic excellence was unmatched. I'll just say it; I was the smartest student in the class. When promoted to Wirth Junior High School, I embraced and accepted the advanced curriculum and continued to build my educational armor. I entered Cahokia Senior High School and was placed in an accelerated program. I told y'all I was always the smartest person in the room. LOL! The "KID" had more than intellectual talents though; I was also a member of the band and one of the star players on the football team. I tried my hand in basketball, but that didn't go to well. Hey, I couldn't be perfect in EVERYTHING!
My passion for football secured me a scholarship and I attended Southern Illinois University of Carbondale. While enrolled at SIU I had the privilege to be an integral part of establishing Alpha Phi Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1972. After that moment I was reintroduced and now known as "BIG BROTHER EAST SAINT" to my brothers. My dedication and commitment to my brothers has been a crucial and significant part of my life for over 50 years.
Hard work was no stranger to me. I began working at an early age; fast food, brickyard, steel factory, welding and made my career as a yard supervisor at the Dome Railway. I would not have had the opportunity or skill to reach my level at the Dome Railway without the guidance, tutelage and encourage of my father, Eddie Lee Nicholson.
Working side by side with my father was one of my most valued experiences and lessons learned. I wouldn't have believed anyone if they told me that 40 years later that I would be walking in my father's shoes. After retiring in 2002, I re-entered the workforce as a welder for SSE Hauling and Landscaping. Which I am proud to say was created, established, owned and operated by my baby boy, William, Sr. I worked side by side with my father so one can only imagine the elation when my son and I worked side by side.
I met and married a very special woman, Cloretta Brock- Nicholson, who brought light to my life. We were united in Holy Matrimony on August 12th, 1979. Together we reared (4) children, we were blessed with (13) grandchildren and (2) great-grandchildren. We also had the honor to stand as Godparents to (1) God daughter. We walked together for 46 years.
I lived my life to the fullest. I most definitely did things "my way." I enjoyed the peace and comfort of fishing. My friend, Tommie, and I would take the boat into the water and stay for hours, most times ALL DAY and periodically come back EMPTY HANDED. It was just my escape and peace. I had the opportunity to take my sons and grandsons on a couple camping trips allowing us to bond and spend quality time together. My love of all genres of music leads me to dabble slightly in DJing back in the day. My love of life included, but was not limited to, playing poker. I took enjoyment in playing weekly games of bid whist. I was good that I penned signature (on emails, passwords, you name it) as "SEVEN NO BID." I loved spending time in my garage. I would just go out there, lift the door up, listen to my music, with a cold beverage and clean my fishing equipment, do yard work or pull out my BBQ pit (which I made and welded myself). The list of things I enjoyed are endless: fishing, music, card games, BBQing, cooking, yard work, welding, singing, fixing things, etc. In 2023 I had the opportunity to take a cruise and add flying to my list of joys. My greatest past-time was spending time with my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
On Saturday July 12th, 2025, at 5:00am at HSHS St. Elizabeth Hospital, in Shiloh, Illinois, I received the call to glory. The "KID" enjoyed his time with y'all however; the time has come to rejoin those that have already gone before and prepared a feast in my honor:my beloved father, Eddie L Nicholson; mother, Virginia Nicholson; grandmothers, Lucille Allen and Mary Nicholson; grandfather, Pleas Nicholson; great grandmother, Mariah Mumphard and a multitude of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews cousins and friends; holding a banner reading, "WELCOME HOME!!!!"
I will be loved, cherished and eternalized by my wife of 46 years:Cloretta B. Nicholson, of Washington Park, IL. My devoted children: NaShawna (Bobbie) Carter, of Washington Park, IL; Edward (Brittany) Nicholson, Jr. of Beaverton, OR.; Virginia Nicholson and William (Ashley) Nicholson, Sr. both of Cahokia Heights, IL: Goddaughter, Bridgette Singleton, of St. Louis, Mo, Adoring 13 Grandchildren: NaKetia Brock, Jairius (Khadjah) Brock, Tierra Nicholson, Edward Nicholson, III, Jada Smith, Gayle Nicholson, Jazmine Smith, William Nicholson, Jr, Nevaeh Nicholson, J'Kobe Nicholson, Massyiah Nicholson, Willow Nicholson and J'Kyrie Nicholson. My precious 2 Great grandchildren: Antonio Dean and Nakiyla Pearson. Aunts:Mrs. Callie Mobley of Collinsville, IL. and Mary A. Hunt, of Scooba, Mississippi: Uncle Henry Allen, of East Saint Louis, IL. 3 life-long brothers: Lou (Kathryn) Jethro, Michael (Stacey) Anderson and Primus (Carolyn) Jones: Brother and Sister(s) in law: Donald Lomax, Terry Lomax, Michael (Deborah) Lomax, Pauline (Kermick) Lomax, Paulette Lomax, Elaine Lomax, Victoria Lomax, Gwendolyn Sullivan and Diane Adams, life-long friends: Lonnie Mumphard, of East Saint Louis, IL, Charles Chatman of East Saint Louis, IL and Gregory (Diane) Gardner of Springfield, IL.: Alphi Phi Psi Fraternity, Inc., Bid Whist Buddies and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
God called, I had to answer. So, I say keep me in your mouths, heart and lives. I ask you to "REMEMBER ME" but "LET ME GO!!"
Edward Earl Nicholson, Sr.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of
MR. EDWARD EARL NICHOLSON, please click here to visit our sympathy store.